The sun., 1887-05-12

possessed in the highest degree, says
writer in the Atlanta Constitution.
The Colonel was too old to take
in the late war, but, with the :;
o. the newspapers and a score Or so
of large maps, he managed to keep up
with the progress of each campaign.
His somewhat extensive military ex-
perience in the Seminole and Mexican
wars made him quite an oracle
among the residents of Belle Isle, and
his predictions were unhesitatingly
believed.
During the summer of '63, l spent a
few weeks at Belle Isle. At that sea-
son this semi-tropical paradise is al
ways in it's glory, and on the occasion
of my visit Colonel Tom was at his
best. 1t struck me on the morning of
my arrival that l had never seen the
veteran looking better. His iron-gray
hair and grizzled mustache had SOL
dierly cut, and something like the
bloom of youth fingered on his with
cred face. Through his glasses I could
see a hopeful sparkle in his kindly
eyes. Undoubtedly my friend was
bearing the weight OF his three score
years splendidly. 1t was not long be-
tore penetrated the secret of his ap-
parent youthfulness and elasticity OF
spirits.
Il want to show you something"
said the colonel in mysterious way
as he beckoned me into his library
one afternoon. OF course | went. The
mail from the mainland reached us
about that hour, and it was our GUS
tom to go over the daily papers to-
gether.
"What doyou think ofthe situation
at Vicksburg?" asked Colonel Tom "a
he directed my attention to map 81
the seat of war spread out on the ta-
BILE before us.
1made an evasive answer, but intl-
mated that l had my fears.
"Feel little shaky, hey?"
"Well, Unjust admit that do" was
my reply.
"Now, my boy" said the Colonel,
II will show you Just how it stands.
Here is file of the Daily Bomb for
the past two weeks. Take out your
pencil and figure little while Tread
l complied with the request, and
the Colonel, after wiping his glasses,
proceeded to read from the telegraphic
columns of different numbers of the
Bomb as follows:
"VIcKsBURa, June 2O.-In the battle
of to-day Grants losses were terrific.
He lost in killed and prisoners fully
10, 200 men. Confederate loss, 131.
"VIcKsBURG, June 23.-The Yankees
made several assaults to-day, but
were repulsed with the slaughter OF
5000 men. The Confederates lost 81
killed and wounded.
"VIcKsBURa, June 2o.-The confeder-
ing 5000 and capturing 1000 prison.
ers. Our loss inconsiderable.
"VIcKsBURG, July I've have won
another glorious victory. Ten thou
sand Yankees killed, and 5000 cap
tured. Our loss, 3OS.
"VIcKsBURG. July 2.-The fighting
renewed. Grants losses to-day will
loot up $4,000. 1t is reported that
Grant is mortally wounded.
Got those figures down." said the
Colonel beaming upon me over his
glasses.
'Here they are" l said. II make
1t that the Yankees have lost in the
last five engagements $4,000 men,"
Just so,' laughed Colonel Tom,
clapping his hands, land our losses
are only a few hundred. Now, my
boy, what was Grants strength two
weeks ago." .r...
"About 10000 men," Ihazarded at
guess.
"Corrsct. Well, when you subtract
$4,000 from 10000 you see that he
has only 1S, 1000 left, while Pemperton
must have in Vicksburg about 3d.
men fit for service. You see?"
did see, so far as figures went, and
then a wave OF depression rolled over
me. The Colonel went on excitedly:
"Look at the map, sir. When Penn
berton's 80, 900 men make their next
sortie and hurl themselves upon
Grants shattered legions, what will be
the result2 Don't you see that the
Vicksburg campaign Is virtually over,
and that In another day or two we
shall be masters of the situation.
After painful pause / asked:
"Colonel, can we rely on these mea-
ger telegraphic reports? They deal in
round numbers and give no Details"
My friend Strengthened himself, and
looked sternly in my face.
"Sir," he said, II have taken the
Daily Bomb thirty years, 1t publish
ed my series of articles on notification,
over the signature of 'Junius Brutus,'
q series of papers which received high
praise from such men, sir, as the Hon.
Kickapoo De Groo, Governor Cad
wilkens Pidkins, and Colonel Gallatln
Montgomery. The Bomb, sir, sup,
ported me for Congress. 1t published
in full the speech ] made on
my departure for Mexico at
the head OF the Rattlesnake
Rangers, when l received the beautiful
silk banner presented by the fair hands
OF the lovely Miss Magnolia Halifax, a
beauty and a belle, sir. The Bomb
has always been friendly to- my fam,,
ly, sir, and ! have confidence in it.
stand by its reports, sir, 1t Is out of
the question Chat they should be in
accurate"
Iwilted. It was impossible to shake
the steadfast faith OF this simple and
honest old soldier. And I did not
want to shake it. l felt proud OF Col,
onel Tom, and felt Ike throwing up
my hat over his predictions.
II was a day later. 1t was the Fourth
OF July. In the afternoon we scanned
the columns OF the Bomb, but for the
first time in weeks there was no dis
patch from Vicksburg.
rWait until tomorrow" said, Colo
pel Tom.
The next day was the same. No
NeWs from Vicksburg. ,8
oWires cut somewhere" was the
Colonel's explanation.
The next day, the 9Th, the Bomb
contained the following telegram:
"VICKsBURa, July 5.-General Penn
herton surrendered on the Sd. Yes
terday General Grants army entered
the city. Pemberton's men will be
paroled."
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